Kohl’s Announces CEO Succession Plan

Executive Summary

• On September 26, Kohl’s announced that Kevin Mansell, the company’s Chairman, CEO and President, would retire in May 2018 at the company’s annual shareholders meeting. At that time, Michelle Gass will be appointed CEO and Sona Chawla, the company’s COO, will be appointed President.
• During Mansell’s 35 years at Kohl’s, the company navigated a financial recession, broadened its brand portfolio, grew its e-commerce business to $3 billion and redefined itself as an omnichannel retailer with commensurate digital capabilities.
• Gass joined Kohl’s in 2013 as Chief Customer Officer, responsible for marketing and e-commerce. Before joining Kohl’s, she spent nearly 17 years at Starbucks, holding a variety of leadership roles overseeing marketing, Starbucks beverage, food and merchandising, and global strategy.
• Chawla will continue to manage Kohl’s omnichannel operations, including store operations, logistics and supply-chain network, information and digital technology, as well as e-commerce strategy, planning and operations.